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My husband and I decided to give ourselves a Christmas gift of going away for a night. We decided upon the Boat House in Kennebunkport, ME. It was not cheap, but we felt like we veer being totally spoiled then entire time.

We went up on Saturday, Jan 18 during the snow. We had a slow ride up but it was well worth the drive. It snowed the entire time we were in Kennebunkport, finally subsiding when we reached York on our way home.

I had my new camera (Canon 5D) with me, so stopping to take photos in the snow was a must. The first few shots are taken from our room and our balcony. I was quite delighted to have a pinky schooner, I think, outside my room.

The shot of the blue light is from the restaurant, David’s, on the first floor of the Boat House. I had an absolutely amazing meal there – an “open ravioli” (large square of pasta) loaded with a wonderfully seasoned ricotta, large pieces

of lobster, shrimps and scallops with snow peas and some shredded cabbage, topped with a sherried cream sauce. It was to die for!. Despite the continuing snow on Sunday, we traipsed around and enjoyed the Maine seacoast.

The snow on the rocks and the rocks, trees and shrubs was so beautiful! The last couple of shots are of the Nubble Light in York, always a nice spot to stretch the legs.

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What happens to a rat-infested abandoned ship? The rats eat each other. The last rat standing eats itself. Or so they say.

I’m sure you have read about the Lyubov Orlova, which over a year ago was abandoned in Newfoundland because of a dispute over debts. On its tow to a salvage yard in the Dominican Republic, the ship broke free and became adrift. At first it was thought to be heading towards the British Isles however, it is now widely believed to have sunk. The most recent reports suggest that rats cannot live more than five days without water.

This story had me thinking about rats in general and rats along Gloucester’s waterfront, which in turn led to thinking about one of the many reasons why I love cats.

The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the brown rat, sewer rat, common rat, and myriad other terms of non-endearment, is native to northern China. The species found its way to Eastern Europe by the early eighteenth century. By the year 1800, they occurred in every European country. First sightings of R. norvegicus in the New World were reported in the 1770′s as ship stowaways.

During the Middle Ages cats were reviled and killed en masse. In the few regions where cats were not killed there were far less fatalities from the pandemic Black Death, which killed roughly half the population of Europe. Had this fear of cats not existed, populations of the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) would have been minimized, lessening the spread of plague infected fleas, carried by rats.

Rats are one of the world’s most successful mammals, second only to humans. They live everywhere except Antarctica.

Rattus norvegicus

All images courtesy google image search.

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“These are times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Thomas Paine

Thank you, Pete, for a lifetime of music, hope, courage and patriotism for every season.

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I haven’t been able to catch him facing in my direction while out on his daily sails in the arctic wind and cold around Smiths Cove. Some believe it is Gordon Baird. Inquiring minds want to know. Is this Gordon Baird, or if not, who is it?

If it is Gordon, his Crazy Moon production is back at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck Thursday, 1/30- Sunday, 2/9.

Two beautiful and uniquely talented artists who were bound
to find each other at some point in their lifetimes… Fozzie
Hill and Rocky Kramm return to us in full glory. A total
lovefest! ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Prime Rib Special – $12.95 (while they last)
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Plus – Check out Fred’s rockin’ new wine menu!
Coming soon…Marina Evans

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Hi! My name is Twin, a two-month-old pup. I am staying at the Cape Ann Animal Aid (capeannanimalaid.com), located at the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter, Four Paws Lane in Gloucester. I am here with my siblings and we are enjoying playing outside – there are a lot of things to investigate and great places to walk with the volunteers. I weight about 16 pounds and I think I will be medium in size when all grown. I think I might be part Lab or beagle. We are affectionate and sweet and glad to make new friends. We are just starting to learn about walking on the leash and mastering things like stairs – wow – what a lot of work? Would you like to help me out and mastering these things together. I am willing to work hard if you are!

I would really like that because the best thing in the world would be to have a family that loves me as much as my Cape Ann Animal Aid family does!

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Whenever there is a pregnancy announcement in the family the Ciaramitaro women break out their knitting and Crochet needles and head straight for the yarn shop to get supplies needed to make the new baby’s “Ruota”… ( handmade sweaters, hats, booties, carriage coverlets, and blankets.) Just before the holidays my cousin Amy & her husband Bill broke the big news that they were expecting their first child this spring. Last night 3 generations of the Ciaramitaro family gathered at my mothers house for what we call “Club Night”. Originally this traditional crafting gathering took place during morning or afternoon coffee times, and over the years, transpired into an evening event with a light dinner and wine, to accommodate the working womens schedules in the family. Last night was the first of many fun nights we will all spend together over the next few months preparing for the family’s new princess!

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Good Harbor Beach as it looked in 1939. The houses and the bridge are pretty much the same. The snow – well warmer weather is around the corner. Donna Ardizzoni was talking about her desire to go to the beach when it warms up. I hope she’s patient!

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Sun / clouds much colder temps in the teens to lower 20’s .. Windchill values will feel like -5 to -10 degrees …Busy West to North West wind 15-25mph..
Tuesday night frigid temps crashing through the lower teens to single digits . Low around 8 degrees ..

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Greetings from the Delaware River Valley, Joey. Rob and I were by Pavilion Beach on July 20th, 2012, when we noticed how incredibly still the sea was. There were three young women who may have been learning how to use the SUP board, but ended up quite comfortably out by the large sail boat. It simply seemed surreal. When I saw the posting a couple of days ago with people walking on the ice (maybe in the same area), I remembered my photo and pulled it out of my 40,000. Linda are

If you should use this, just pick the best photo. We are fascinated by the sea being frozen.

Linda rae castagna

Hi Joey,

Saw these swans hangin out with their buddies on Front Beach in Rockport today.

Here are a few shots of last nights opening at Flatrocks Gallery. They had a great turnout for their new show Translucence. Here is Debbie Clarke in front of her paintings, and the owners, Anne Marie Crotty and Cynthia Roth.

Manchester-Essex Rotary news from Dorothy Sieradzki

Manchester-Essex Rotary awarded three Manchester-Essex High School graduates scholarships at the Rotary’s January 8th meeting. Laurel Barrie is a freshman at Stetson University in Florida, studying health science. Sarah Sergeant is a freshman at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, studying physical therapy. Calvin Lamothe is a freshman at Vassar studying psychology.

Manchester-Essex Rotary is a service organization, whose membership consists of various local business leaders, and is a member of Rotary International, and is dedicated to building goodwill and peace throughout the world. The Manchester-Essex chapter raises funds through community events to provide scholarships to local students and give back to the community in a variety of ways. Rotary thanks each of you for your kind and generous support and participation throughout the year!

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Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)

Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)